Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s Thanksgiving morning, and we may feel more thankful this year than ever before. We started our week at the hospital, thinking something may have been wrong with Bowen. On top of having a cold and an ear infection, our pulse oximeter was showing us that his blood oxygen levels were low. However, once we arrived in Ann Arbor it was the same story as the last time we drove him up there out of concern. We found ourselves sitting in the doctors office with a smiling, laughing baby who, besides having half a heart, was perfectly fine. We are so thankful!

So I’m thinking of all that I’m thankful for today big and small. I mean, Sarah and I woke up in our warm house, we had options for breakfast, hit a button on a machine that makes our coffee. We snuggled under a blanket on our comfy couch with three happy kids and watched movies. I gave my son a warm bath and washed over a scar that a surgeon was paid handsomely to stitch up after fixing his broken heart; and now, I’m typing a post on my smart phone to send into the world of people with computers that are run on electricity and internet connections.

At this point, a few of you maybe thinking, “Man, this is starting to sound a little shallow right now.” Truth is, that stuff is indeed shallow in depth compared to “the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” The deepest longings for happiness that God has placed inside of me can be satisfied by nothing else. Today I asked myself the question…what if, like so many other families we know, we didn’t get the joy of having Bowen with us this year? Where would my hope and happiness come from? It could only be in the promise that one day everything broken would be made new. Big family or no family, full stomach or empty, happy heart or a sad one, there is a promise of something better…something perfect.

My wish is that you enjoy your day, eat good food, and are able to give much thanks. As part of my Thanksgiving, I want to share something with you that lifted my heart yesterday; something I listened to while raking the gorgeous fall leaves. It’s a message of hope by Timothy Keller. If you have time this week, give it a listen. If you feel hopeless today, then it’s meant for you now. It’s titled The New Heavens and New Earth and you can find it here.

TSmith

Happy Thanksgiving to the Hammitt family and hopefully the panhandle of Florida will be honored wtih your presence in 2012. It was so good to meet you at HaborWalk in Destin and see y’all at the Peanut Festival. t

This is our 2nd thanksgiving without Joshua. Last year was extremely hard, this year, there is so much to be thankful for. The main thing is that we will, one day, experience no more pain. I find that Psalm 100 is extremely fitting for me this year.

Linda Graves

Happy Thanksgiving…I had to chuckle when I read your account of Bowen in the Dr office…when my son was a baby and had a lot of breathing problems, I would leave home with a baby that wouldn’t get off my lap, play, or laugh…and by the time we got to the Dr office( about 20 min trip) he would act like he had never been sick!! I felt like a crazy Mom more than once! So glad Bowen is doing so well….he looks very happy in your photo! So much to be thankful for and to look forward to, isn’t there? Hope your family enjoys all the blessings of a joyous holiday season.

Tammi T. (a mom of an HLHS boy)

Happy Thanksgiving to the Hammit family! We are truly blest but I find that I often take the blessings for granted (both physically and spiritually). Then I usually find that my eyes (and heart and mind) are off of Jesus. Thanks for sharing the link. I will try to listen to it sometime this weekend.

Tammi T. (a mom of an HLHS boy)

Neal and April McKinney

We woke up the same as you today…Thankful to have our son, Knox, home this week after being born with HLHS on September 27. We have a 4 yr old daughter and 2 yr old son as well. We can relate to all that you have went through after watching our son code for 7 hours before his Norwood surgery. The future has never felt so uncertain, but believing in what we cannot see has increased our faith. Sorry for what you are going through. I will leave you with what my daughter said to us the night before we knew Knox was sick…”Heaven is happening because we have another day with Knox”….and so thoughts of Heaven for you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mary Powers

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! It sounds like you had a perfectly normal day. I am so thankful that we have Charlotte and that her life is really no different from most other kids (fractured elbows included).

Kelly Wagner

Happy, happy Thanksgiving! I loved your list of things for which you are grateful…I agree with you 100%. Those ‘shallow’ things are exactly what so many of us take for granted. Absolutely delightful pictures of Bowen’s bath. Rejoicing with you for the gift of your children and Sarah.

Patty

Happy Thanksgiving! God is so good! We have so many blessings that we just don’t recognize them all! Bowen looks so good and happy! Praise God for all He has done and is doing! May God’s love and blessings continue to be with all of you!

Tammi T. (a mom of an HLHS boy)

Thanks for sharing this article about another one of God’s miracles. My boy is now 7 and he had his last surgery just a few days before Thanksgiving, five years ago. I remember thinking at the time that we would be at the hospital for Thanksgiving, but our gracious and loving God allowed to come home before Thanksgiving. We are truly thankful for our Daniel and his older brother.

Mary Powers

Just curious… Perhaps it is just shadow in the pictures, but looks like our little mighty Bowen may have a broken sternum wire??? Is he growing a fibrous node on his sternum?

At just shy of one year old, my son had fibrous protrusions from his chest which turned out to be broken sternum wires (because he grew so fast!) that grew fibrous adhesions around them. We had the protrusions removed (and sternum wires pulled) then returned a month later with a raging staph infection in his chest and spent his 1st birthday in the hospital celebrating with the hospital staff. Well, no better place to celebrate a birthday than with the staff that saved his life, right?!

Susie Michaud

The Hammitt family,
Happy Thanksgiving! Sorry about the scare, but glad to hear all is well with Bowen and the rest of you. He looks so happy in your sink Will you send some of those leaves in the mail for our kids to jump in? (Just kidding) By the way, none of your posts have been shallow. Little things like smiles, laughing,snuggling with the family, and pretty leaves add so much joy to life! Those kind of moments are treasures of the heart. Thanks for the info about The New Heavens and the New Earth…would like to check that out sometime.
The Michaud family

Elizabeth Daniel

Happy Turkey Day Bowen! I know it’s technically past thanksgiving but it counts. I’ve had a rough night. I was worried about money, didn’t get to go out with my best friend. I didn’t have the gas to get there. Things are pretty tense at my house. But it helps to be reminded that things could be worse. My health isn’t as bad as they said it would be. I have a house and a family that love me, even though sometimes we may disagree. But the human side of us hates disappointment. You’ve taught me alot Bowen in just a year. What a difference a year makes! Love ya!

Mallory Fields

Bowen and I have so much to be thankful for since we both have (HLHS.) We are thnakful for our families, as well as for our friends, nurses, and doctors. Bowen is such a handsome baby he seems like a normal child just like me. It’s amazing to realize where we both were when we were babies, and now it is truely amazing for both of our families to not have to go through anymore hospital stays. I pray for you and your family everyday of my life, I pray for you every morning when Im in class . Have a wonderful Thanksgiving year and enjoy all the thanksgiving food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Debbie Hernandez

Hi Matt & Sarah,
I would like to tell you about Gabriella Michelle Villalobos, Gabby. My grand-daughter was due Dec. 17, 2011 but decided she wanted to come early. She was born Oct. 22, 2011… 9 weeks early. We knew she was going to born with a severe heart defect and need surgery however due to her coming early she was not able to have that surgery until the day before Thanksgiving (The Norwood Procedure). She has Unbalanced Atrioventricular Canal AND Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. She has other medical conditions. She is in critical condition at Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio Texas. Her parents, Anthony & Vanessa are extremely good with her and trying to remain as positive as they can be. It’s hard on them being away from their 2 yr old son Nathan. I just wish that somehow you guys could send them a letter or somehow get in touch with them and give them some encouragement! I have followed Bowen’s story closely never knowing that one day I would be living it out as well. Anthony & Vanessa KNOW that Our Good Lord is in control and his will is being done.Sometimes I think that the encouraging words they need to hear may be better from friends and strangers than family…. at times! Thanks for listening and have a great day!

Am praying for little Gabriella!!! I have a daughter (heart-healthy) by the same name who is 5:-) I also have a daughter, who just turned one in July, who had virtually the same diagnosis, Unbalanced complete avsd with hlhs, although she didn’t have other medical conditions.

This road IS difficult, but we Momma’s fight for our babies and pray hard for them. Please let her parents know that my family is praying for them. Do they have a blog or caring bridge page or anything with updates? Would love to follow to know how to pray specifically!

Debbie Hernandez

Hi Krista. On facebook there is a page her momma has called a heart for Gabby. She has not updated it in a few days. They are now concerned that there may be some seizure activity in her brain. Awaiting those results. Thanks you so very much for your prayers.

Pam Schooler

Hi Debbie- I’m Bowen’s grandma and I was just telling Sarah about Gabby and she is going to try to write on your daughter’s facebook when she gets a chance but she wanted me to be sure to tell you so you could tell her that Bowen and a few other babies have had issues with very low blood sugar and Bowens was so low that we think that is what caused his stroke and siezure activity after his surgery. Sarah really thinks it has something to do with some meds causing drops in the blood sugar so tell your daughter to have them check because they are very resistant to check for whatever reason but thank God He gave me my strong willed daughter and she kept on top of it and they did make a diagnosis of hyperinsulinism with him. This happened soon after his surgery also. I hope this will help. We will be praying for Gabby-what a beautiful baby!

Debbie Hernandez

Thank you Pam. They have been checking her sugars often and sugars have been fine. Thank you so much for your prayers! They are working. gabby was taken off the vent today!!! God is good…. ALWAYS!! God Bless you, your family and that precious baby Bowen! He is absolutely adorable!!!

Tammi T. (a mom of an HLHS boy)

SO SO SO thankful that everything turned out well on the trip to the hospital! We’ve had a few of those ourselves the past month or two, but thankfully everything turned out fine each time as well! It’s scary though, going through it.

We have SO much to be thankful for this year as well. But one thing about spending so much time in the hospital and around all these fabulous heart families, it is sobering, knowing what might have been, or might be in the future. We aren’t guaranteed any day, so we choose each day to be thankful. To live it to the fullest that God has for us.

Tod & Lorie Case

We are so glad that Bowen is fine. It is so nerve racking when those oxygen levels drop like that. We pray that God’s blessings may be upon all of you during this Christmas Season. Take time to enjoy the important things in life.

Nancy Sullivan

Hi Matt and Sarah, as I awoke on Thanksgiving Day, I thanked God for all of my children. As I was expressing my gratitude for the continuing beating of my son’s heart, for 27 years against the odds, I thanked Him for Bowen’s beating heart. I’m so thankful to hear you guys had another false alarm.
Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Counting the days until the concert in Jackson, Ms!
In His love,
Nancy Sullivan

I’m so thankful for all the blessings God has bestowed upon me and my family- be it directly or through being able to follow stories like Bowen’s. Yes, there has been heartache mixed in with the miracles, but God is growing me through them all.

My little miracle will be THREE on Saturday. Could someone please slow this crazy ride down? After his bath earlier, as he does every time, he stood shivering on the bath mat and pleaded, “Wrap me up, Mommy! Like a bay-beee!” Gladly. I swaddled him in the towel and he laid across my lap. I tapped his nose, just as I used to do when he was a baby, and told him that’s how I would get him to smile. Of course, he wiggled out of my arms and wanted to streak (naked) into the living room! Just like that, the moment was over. Just like that, he’s becoming a big boy. Sigh. I love him so much!

Eddie Bennett

I continue to pray for your family, and am so thankful God has blessed you so much, I pray that you continue to enjoy Bowen and all of your children everyday, and thank God for them. This Thanksgiving was a hard one for us, we lost our youngest child (23) four months ago, and facing the holidays has been so hard, but as you have said before, God gives us the strength we need everyday to continue on, and we just have to prasie Him for the years we had together and remember all the memories we shared together.
May God continue to bless all of you, and I pray for continued good Health and reports for Bowen, may He continue to be a blessing to all who know him and hear of his story!
Blessings, Pastor Ed

Myrna

I’m so glad to see your beautiful baby boy is doing so well.
I never thought that I would be here on your blog doing this, but…my sister Beckie is currently at UofM with her baby girl, Charlie, and Charlie’s surgery didn’t go as planned today. She has a long list of problems and we are hanging on with faith right now.
Not only is my sis/niece going through this, two weeks ago her (my sis) fiance committed suicide –he was Charlie’s dad–and her faith and hope was shattered.
Truly I am sorry for doing this here, but I see how God has been so good and has answered the prayers of all of us praying for your baby. I only hope that some of you can pray for my sis and niece right now.
They need all they can get.
Thank you

Pam Schooler

Wow-that is so sad. I will pray for your sister Beckie and for her baby girl Charlie. It’s so much to go through withjust the baby, but to lose her fiance that way too. I am sure everyone reading this will be praying too.

Beckie Svidron

Hello I am Beckie, Baby Charlie’s Mom and I want to thank you 4 keeping us in your prayers. It surre has been a rough time we are still here at U of M. We are waiting to see if they are gonna do the second part of the surgery so soon after the first one. She ran into a few complications after the surgery but she still keeps a smile on her beautiful face. I just wanted to Thank you for taking the time to keep us in your prayers even though you don’t know us. It means a lot to me.Thank you!

Beth

This is actually not a comment about the post – although the picture of Bowen is absolutely precious! I wanted to comment on Matt’s tweet that “God’s gifts are perfect. Sometimes it feels like He’s late on delivering, then once He does, you realize the timing was perfect too.” I don’t have a Twitter page, so I went here. Just…it really resonated with me. Over the summer I was going through something that made no sense to me. Now that I’m on the other side and the situation has turned around 180 degrees, those five months of confusion and sadness don’t even really matter anymore. I still don’t know why it happened, but God’s timing IS perfect. And I have been consistently floored by His perfect gifts that I do not deserve. So thanks for the tweet

Lauren

Karin Erskine

Thank you for taking the time to share how Bowen is doing. I have a three year old little boy that has had three open heart surgiers , its nice to know that many families can relate. Continuting to pray for ur family ! God Bless

isabella santos

Hi Matt,
its Isabella we met at the concert in Estero, Fl. I just wanted to let u know that i have been praying for u and ur family through this difficult time. Remember the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you. God Bless.
Love,
Isabella

Bob Ames

My daughter is giving birth to our second grandchild as I type. I thank the Hammitt family for sharing their story and helping me enjoy these precious moments when God truly blesses us. Matt’s words inspire me to try and be the best example and leader I can be to our kids and their kids. I will work to put God first and trust him with all that I do. Bowen inspires me with his strength and joyfulness. They truly make a difference in so many lives. Praise the Lord.

Mallory Fields

Bowen, I know that everybody says “No post means everything Is good with You And your family.” but o hope You especially have a wonderful And beautiful Merry Christmas including your two sisters as Well, And your parents. I know my parents always Get emottinal this day because I had one of my heart surgies And they Were in Philliadelphia far away from home. But Now they can put that in the pasts And think of What an amazing daughter And fighter I am to their life because without the doctors And nurses And them And all the prayers i wouldnt be here.

Judy

Praying that you all have a blessed Christmas and that you have the peace and hope of the Christ child this Christmas season and throughout the year. Jesus walks with us during our joys and our sorrows. God bless you all. Trying to stay calm knowing that you all need your “space”, but still concerned.

Jessica

Hi, I was reading your story about your son and it hits very close to home. I too recently had a baby girl with the same heart problem. She was born September 5 2011. I found out the in may during an ultrasound to find out her sex. I was given four days to decide if I was going to go through the pregnancy or abort. I cried for days and was mad at the world. I kept questioning God why me. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I had the abortion, so I went through the pregnancy knowing I could lose her. Maya Faith Christian was born on labor day, she was perfect. Ten days later she had her first heart surgery, about two weeks later she had a second surgery called the lads procedure and had a g tube put in. She spent seven weeks at Children’s Hopital before we could bring her home but now she is doing good learning to eat from a bottle. She is my miracle, my faith, my life. I have two other children that just love their baby. It’s getting close to her 2nd heart surgery and it scares me to think about it. I know it’s a long road and sometimes I still question God but I know he gave her to me for a reason.

Jennifer Navaratnam

Just was thinking of your family, and Bowan. I hear updates on klove about you guys and wanted to let you know that you ate being prayed for! On a hopeful note my Grandma’s heart has something similar to your son. The whole left side of her heart doesn’t work and never has. By the grace of God she is 77 going on a very lively 78! She is a great-grandmother this year too! So here’s to many many years in your lives with bowman

Karen Winters

Angel

What a cutie!! My husband was born with a heart defect and at the age of 3 days they had his obits made out not thinking he was going to make it. He had gone threw so many opaen hteart surgeries pacemakers and so on. At the age of 14 he had a heart transplant and by the grace of God after 23 yrs he is still with us today.I pray that God wll Bless you with many more wonderful years ith your precious son . You may have many struggling days but always remember God is here for you

Isobel

Robin

Merry Christmas Hammitt family! Let’s hope and pray everything there is okay. Kinda getting worried about you guys and wondering if everything is okay. Have not heard any new posts since Thanksgiving! Can you or someone give us an update?

Alaina

Marikay

A simple Thank you others mother whose son died of hypo plastic left heart 21 years ago. His doctor was Edward Bove and he treated our Dougie for four months and four days, all spent at Mott. Because of our Dougie, the team learned that they were doing things wrong. The Norwood proceedure went from a 25 percent success rate to 90 percent
Maybe 4 months and 6 days can be a life time. Maybe it’s not how long but how well!

Karen Winters

Hey little courageous warrior, you have been on my heart so much lately!! I wanted to speak blessings to you for the new year…that 2012 will be a year that you see God move even more miraculously on your behalf; that your heart will grow stronger, larger where needed and more flexible/soft; that your blood will flow as God intended; no infections or illnesses or fevers; that your appetite and weight will increase and that your little body will be strengthened and grow at a normal rate; that your heart will be made totally and completely whole with oxygen saturation rates at 100%; that all the normal milestones will be reached and surpassed; and that you will feel God’s presence even more than ever being totally wrapped in his blanket of love. You are such a special, precious little child!

Tammi T.

Sorry to hear that all of you have been under the weather. We still keep you in our prayers. We look forward to seeing Matt’s band perform on 1/6. We wish the rest of the family could be there. I’d love for our HLHS boys to meet! Atl least my boys will get to see the Dad of Bowen on 1/6, even if it is from a distance.

Susie Michaud

Jeri

Thanks for this update Sarah! Sorry to hear you guys haven’t been feeling well.
I come here often to look for updates and just look at the cute pictures of Bowen, What a blessing!
Happy and Healthy New Year Hammitts. I look forward to Christmas pictures!
Love,
Jeri

Susan S

Little Bowen’s story has touched my heart.I followed along on KLove and through this website.What a miracle he is! This little boy named Liam’s story(I love Liam Lyon on facebook) has also touched me and he needs a miracle now.His Dr’s are not sure how to proceed with his care and he has many followers desperately praying God will put the right Dr. in their path. Here is a link to his story.If anyone can help by sharing and most importantly,praying for his miracle!http://www.facebook.com/gretawire?ref=ts&sk=wall#!/pages/I-Love-Liam-Lyon/137992366273067?sk=info

Isobel

Thanks for the update , Sarah. Hope everyone’s on the mend now! And that you were able to celebrate Christmas with all your loved ones! As you go on into this , another New Year together , I pray the Lord will continue to make His presence known to your family as you watch the children grow. I pray for wisdom as you bring them up in this hard world , that they may grow to love and follow the Lord from a very early age. I pray for you as you share much of the care and for Matt and the guys and their ministry , singing and preaching His Word to young and old around the world. May He continue this work He started in and through you from the moment you heard that little Bowen had his heart problem. So glad to have gotten to know you all.
Love , Isobel

Beckie Svidron

Mr. Bowen we are very happy that God answered everybody’s prayers for you. You are truely a SPECIAL boy. Thank you so very much for the lovely gifts for Baby Charlie. That is so very sweet and the cd really touched me her Mom Beckie. Especially the song Holding You that brought tears to my eyes because I know exactly what your family was going thru. We will be keeping you in our prayers too. I know you have a special friend Nicole. She is the best! She adores you. I am glad to know you are doing well. We are still here at Mott’s Children’s Hospital waiting to see if they are going to do a second surgery so close to the first one. I believe God has special plans for you and Charlie. I am so sorry you and your family had to endure such a hard struggle we can relate to that but you two will come out on top. Thank you!

DAWN

Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of
volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same
niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on.
You have done a outstanding job!